Golf device



R.. C. BYRD GOLF DEVICE Nov. 19, 1940;

Filed Jan; 15. 1940 Fmm. 5%

RW C.BYRD

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 19, 1940 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in golf devices.

My object is to provide a construction, combination and arrangement ofparts constituting 5 a jointed figure capable of being actuated toperform movements similar to those of a human being. In the presentembodiment this jointed figure is exemplified in form representing agolfer, the said parts being so coordinated with i each other 'and witha handled shaft that the user, by the application of certain skill inmanipulating said shaft, is enabled to so actuate the jointed figure asto obtain movements thereof which are similar to those of a golfer inthe acts of addressing, poising for, and of hitting the ball.

The invention, as typified in the following specification, is intendedfor use by the professional instructor, and for amateurs orprofessionals, young or old, in indoor or in outdoor practice and play.Also it is contemplated that the invention may constitute the nucleus ofthe acquiring, assembly and use of accessories related to the game, suchas fairways, greens and hazards.

9 The general object of my invention, as well as other and more specificaims thereof, as will presently appear, are accomplished by and theinvention is embodied in the new construction, combination andarrangement of parts described Tm in the following specification andillustrated in the accompanying drawing.

The different parts of the invention are identified by suitablecharacters of reference applied to them in the views in the drawing, inwhich 35 Figure 1 is a front view'of my improved golf device, a portionof the handled shaft being broken away.

Figure 2 is a top plan View, taken in the direction of arrow 2 inFigure 1. 40 Figure 3 is a side View, taken in the direction of arrow 3in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a modification of the weight arm member.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device 45 showing the appearanceof the jointed figure,

costumed, and addressing the ball.

Figure 6 illustrates the appearance of the device when the back swinghas been made.

Figure 7 illustrates the appearance of the dea') vice when the followthrough swing or stroke has been made.

The parts constituting my new mechanical organization comprise a footedfulcrum member adapted to be poised in substantially upright 55attitude, a handled shaft articulated therewith,

a weight arm structure articulated with the fulcrum member and embodyinga striking head, and a power transmitting member interconnecting thehandled shaft and the said weight arm structure.

A fulcrum member consists of oppositely disposed similar uprights I andl simulating legs, and which at their upper portions are integrated witha body structure 2 simulating a torso. This body structure extendsupwardly and it is in- 10 clined forwardly and is provided at its topwith a neck 3 which may consist of a rod tightly fitted into a suitableaperture provided therefor.

A slotted lug 4 formed integral with the said fulcrum member at its rearside, will presently be referred to. To the bottom of each of the saiduprights l and I, is secured a foot piece 5 made of cork, rubber, orother suitable nonskid material.

A handled shaft 8 of suitable length substan- 20 tially as shown, isarticulated with the lug 4 as by a cotter or pivot pin I0.

A weight arm structure consists of a golf club l2 with forked shaft thedivergent portions l4 and I4 thereof being integrated with the oppositeends of a transverse portion which is designated as a shoulder or beaml5. In a central aperture l6 provided in said shoulder is received thesaid neck pin 3 and upon the threaded upwardly protruding portion ofwhich is secured the fanciful head member l1. At a point suitably offsetfrom the axial bore iii of said shoulder member is provided a hole I8.

A power transmitting member interconnecting the said shoulder member andthe said handled shaft, consists of a light rod or wire l9 having itsrear end secured, as by a slender bolt 20 to said handled shaft 8;. itsforward portion being suitably curved and its end being bent at an angleto constitute a wrist 2! which is inserted and retained in the said holel-8 of the shoulder member l5.

Whereas the several parts of my new jointed figure are shown as of plainand conventional surface contours, it will be understood that in thefabrication or the casting of same, they may be of such fancifulexternal conformation as may be desired. Also it will be understood thatthe device lends itself to being costumed in fanciful vestments, assuggested in Figures 5, 6 and '7. Such vestments may be made of lightsheet or cast metal, or of flexible material such as textile, fabric,rubber, or leather, the last named material being preferred. In suchcostuming, the coat 22 covers the shoulder member and the torso, and

20 accordance with the nature of the stroke that is fgo the sleeves 23cover the arm portions of the figure. Depending from the coat is thetrunk 24; and depending from the said trunk are the leg portions 25 and25 of said vestments.

The several parts constituting my new jointed figure, coordinated asabove described, and with the power member I9 articulated at hole I8 atleft side of the axis of the said shoulder member I 5, appear as inFigure 1 and in Figure 2 and Figure 3, the device being in readiness formanipulation by a right handed person. The fulcrum member will have beendisposed at a position inclined slightly forwardly, its feet 5 and 5being The user now by holding the handled shaft at suitable inclinationand which he readily learns to do, may obtain the desired poise of theclub with reference to the position of the ball, and in intended. 7

In describing the procedure of using my invention, the fulcrum member,for brevity, will be re ferred to as the figure.

. It will be assumed that the user is so holding the handled shaft thatthe figure is inclined forwardly to the poise wherein the club is in theneutral or addressing position. In this poise of the figure the shouldermember I5 is substantially horizontal and at a right angle to thelongitudinal axis of the handled shaft.

With a rearward urge now exerted by the user upon the handled shaft 8there is the inclining rearwardlyof the figure. In this rearwardlyinclining movement of the figure (shortening the distance between-thehandled shaft and the upper portion of the figure) the wrist 2! of thepower member I9 functions as a fulcrum, and as the neck 3 of the figurepasses from its initial position in direction rearwardly, there is themoving of the shoulder member I5 accordingly, and the swing of. the clubin the direction of arrow BS (counter-clockwise) this motion of the clubbeing the back swing.

I Now, with a forward urge exerted upon the handled shaft, there is theinclining forwardly of'the figure. In this forwardly inclining movementof the figure (lengthening the distance between the handled shaft andthe upper portion of the figure) the wrist 2| of the power member I9again functions as a fulcrum, and as the neck 3 of the figure movesforwardly, there is the moving of the shoulder member I5 accordingly,and the swing of the club in the direction of the arrow FT (clockwise)this motion of the club being the follow through. In each actuating ofthe jointed figure, as above described, the motion of the club ispositive, rapid, and powerful; the path, the degree of speed, and thepower thereof depending of course upon the aim, energy, and skillexerted by the user.

The user, in a relatively short period of practice, is soon enabled toacquire a skill and finesse in poising the fulcrum member and in holdingthe handled shaft. In the exercise of such skill, there is such poisingof the club, and such control of theline of its sweep and of the measureof its power, that the energy, nature, and direction of travel of theball is predetermined to a high degree of precision.

h For use by a left handed person, a weight arm of reverse formation asto the club head and as to the hole in which the power transmittingmember is connected, is provided, as shown in Figure 4. The principle ofactuation of this left-hand weight arm is similar, but the direction ofits movement is opposite to that of the right-hand weight armhereinbefore described. Now, upon the rearward urge of the handled shaft8 there is an inclining rearwardly of the fulcrum member and a swing ofthe club in direction opposite to that indicated by the said arrow BS.This motion of the club may be referred to as a lefthand back swing, andthe opposite thereof, as a left-hand follow through.

It is contemplated that the invention, when packed for being handled inmerchandising, is in knocked down status. That is to say-the handledshaft 8 and the member I9 are detached from the fulcrum member and theshoulder member respectively.

The invention is applicable as a device for enjoying the diversion,pastime, and practice of indoor golf. Also it is useful to theinstructor in teaching, the golf student, and to the user in practicing,the technique of poise, and of the use and control of the muscles of thebody so that full efiectiveness of the stroke may be obtained.

My improved golf device in its entirety is economical of constructionand manufacture, not liable to get out of order or repair, is durableand dependable, and is capable of being conveniently and economicallyhandled in the merchandising thereof. Capable of being dressed byapplying a finish of paint, electroplating or enamel, or by costuming ashereinbefore described, the device may be supplied to markets of widerange, and at selling prices favorable to the consumer. Whereas in thepresent embodiment and wherein the jointed figure or robot is arepresentation of a manikin about ten inches in height, and symbolizinga golfer, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied invarious forms, representations and sizes. Also, that modifications maybe made in the proportioning and arrangement of the several parts, andin detailing of the construction of said parts, without departing fromthe principles of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.Accordingly the invention is to be construed as of the scope as definedin the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention, is-- 1. A device of the kind described,comprising a footed fulcrum member adapted to be poised in substantiallyupright position, a handled shaft articulated with, and operable toincline the said fulcrum member forwardly, and operable to incline thesaid fulcrum member rearwardly, a weight arm structure articulated withthe fulcrum member at its upper portion and embodying a striking head,and power transmitting member interconnecting the handled shaft and thesaid weight arm structure, whereby upon manipulating the handled shaftthere is obtained an oscillatory movement of the said weight armstructure.

2. A device of the kind described, comprising a footed fulcrum memberadapted to be poised in substantiallyerect position, a weight armstructure articulated with the upper portion of the said fulcrum member,for oscillatory movement, a handled shaft articulated with the fulcrummember at an intermediate portion thereof and a power transmittingmember interconnecting the handled shaft and the said weight armstructure, whereby upon a movement of the handle shaft there is obtainedan inclining movement of the fulcrum member and an actuation of the saidweight arm structure.

3. A device of the kind described, comprising a footed fulcrum memberadapted to be poised in substantially erect position the upper portionof the said fulcrum member being inclined forwardly of the longitudinalaxis of said fulcrum member, a handled shaft articulated with the rearside of said fulcrum member, a weight arm structure embodying atransverse beam at its rear end and which said beam is pivotallyconnected to the top portion of said fulcrum member, and a connectingrod fast to the said handled shaft and having its forward end pivotatllyconnected to the said beam at a point offset from the pivotal axis ofthe latter.

4. A golf device of the kind described, comprising a footed fulcrummember, a handled shaft connected at its lower portion to said fulcrummember, an upwardly directed and forwardly inclined body memberintegrated with said fulcrum member, a golf club having a forked handleshaft the divergent arms thereof being integrated with the opposite endsof a transverse shoulder member and the latter being pivotallyarticulated with the top of said body member, and a power transmittinrod fast at its rear end to the handled shaft and having its forward endpivotally connected with said shoulder member at a point offset from theaxis of the latter, whereby with a rearward urge of the handled shaftthere is rearward inclination of the fulcrum member and a swing of theshoulder member carrying the golf club a given direction from thevertical axis of the jointed figure, and whereby with a subsequentforward urge of the handled shaft, there is forward inclination of thefulcrum member and a swing of the shoulder member carrying the golf

